Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 22 October, a webinar "Introduction of environmental technologies and innovations in Aral Sea region within the framework of the implementation of the new EU strategy for Central Asia: cooperation between Uzbekistan and Belgium" was held.

The online conference was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISMI) in cooperation with the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Kingdom of Belgium.

An online meeting dedicated to the issues of strengthening Uzbek-European cooperation in the field of introduction of environmental technologies and innovations in Aral Sea zone brought together representatives of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan, the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC), the International Innovation Center of Aral Sea region under To the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Opening the online conference, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to the Benelux Dilyor Khakimov noted that mitigating the consequences of the environmental crisis of Aral Sea is an important condition for sustainable development of Central Asia.

Uzbekistan, together with European partners, within the framework of the implementation of the new EU strategy for Central Asia, is actively working in this direction.

The diplomat emphasized that the declaration of Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental technologies and innovations, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, will give a powerful impetus to further strengthening interaction between Uzbekistan and the European Union in maintaining environmental stability, economic and water cooperation in Central Asia. Asia.

This initiative of the Head of Uzbekistan, as noted by the Deputy Director of the ISMI under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sanjar Valiev, is also intended to mobilize the great potential of international organizations, states and public groups to find a joint solution to pressing problems in Aral Sea region.

The representative of the ISMI emphasized that given the accumulated experience and rich tools of European "climate diplomacy", Uzbekistan considers the European Union as a key partner in the implementation of these plans, along with partners from the CIS countries and Asia. At the same time, Uzbekistan takes into account that the European Union, defining ambitious goals for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, is turning into one of the global centers for promoting environmental technologies and innovations.

Proceeding from this, S. Valiev suggested concentrating on joint efforts to form a technologically advanced innovation zone in Aral Sea region. In particular, Uzbekistan is interested in expanding cooperation on the transition to a low-carbon economy, providing EU technologies and experience in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, sharing experience in the field of sustainable management of natural resources, protection of biodiversity and ecological tourism.

Supporting this idea, the Executive Director of the European Institute for Asian Studies of the EIAS, Axel Gotals, noted that the EIAS welcomes the desire of Tashkent to find new innovative and high-tech solutions to minimize negative consequences in Aral Sea region in accordance with the concepts of a "green" economy. Thus, visible improvements are made to the livelihoods of the population of the entire region. The significant contribution of Uzbekistan made in the framework of the implementation of various projects and programs in Aral Sea zone deserves attention.

In this context, the head of the agency of the International Fund for Saving Aral Sea Vadim Sokolov said that the latest initiatives of Uzbekistan are aimed at the implementation of projects for the stable provision of the South Aral Sea with water resources, the creation of protected natural areas in Aral Sea zone.

According to him, Uzbekistan, in addition to contributing to IFAS and supporting the UN MTF, initiated a number of state programs to eliminate the consequences of Aral Sea tragedy, identified 10 priorities for the development of Karakalpakstan.

The expert also noted that conditions are being created for joint actions of the countries of Aral Sea basin, aimed at converting the zone of the ecological crisis associated with the drying up of Aral Sea into a zone of socio-economic development.

According to the consultant of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Cornelis Braams, measures taken by Uzbekistan in this direction in the future will help to increase the energy efficiency of economic sectors, develop the use of renewable energy sources, mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as improve the efficiency of natural resources use.

At the same time, the expert stressed that the EU is ready to fully support the negotiations on the adoption of a special UN Resolution on Aral Sea region, both on a bilateral basis - with Uzbekistan, and with all Central Asian countries.

Dinara Ziganshina, Deputy Director of the ICWC Scientific Information Center, believes that the most important condition for environmental stabilization in Aral Sea region, along with the introduction of eco-technologies and innovations, is the development of interaction between the Central Asian states on long-term basin planning and water conservation. Most importantly, as the expert noted, it is important to pay close attention to the conduct of strategic interdisciplinary research and to ensure sustainable funding for science at the national and regional levels. In this case, science can provide a decision-making process and serve as a bridge for building trust, as well as lasting peace and stability in the region.

EIAS Program Director Alberto Turksta stressed that the efforts of the Central Asian countries to improve the environmental health of Aral Sea region are in the focus of European countries. At the same time, the responsible approach of Uzbekistan to the problem of Aral Sea is especially valuable: “The sea is gone, people are not,” which is fully consistent with the Agenda for Sustainable Development for the period up to 2030.

In his opinion, it is also important that the government of Uzbekistan is not limited in solving the problems of Aral Sea only to the introduction of innovations and technologies. It also aims to bring about institutional transformation, including through public private partnerships, engaging non-traditional sectors (tourism, culture, civil society, academia) and the practical application of the concept of a circular economy and integrated water resources management.

Referring to regional interaction on water and environmental issues, the chief researcher of the ISMI Nozim Khasanov noted that in recent years a completely new level of cooperation has been observed in Central Asia. In this regard, Uzbekistan is interested in expanding cooperation with the EU.

In general, the virtual meeting, held in a constructive atmosphere, allowed the participants of the webinar to prioritize cooperation, as well as discuss the mechanisms for preparing draft resolutions of the UN General Assembly and their promotion with partners from the European Union.

It was noted that the goal of cooperation is to turn Aral Sea region into a comfortable place for people to live. Prove by joint efforts that humanity can correct its mistakes and restore the environment.